Adjustable connector device for mop or broom handles



Oct. 13, 1953 H. A. RUSSELL ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR DEVICE FOR MOP OR BROOM HANDLES Filed May 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR HOM ER A. RUSSELL ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1953 H. A. RUSSELL ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR DEVICE FOR MOP 0R BROOM HANDLES Filed May 16, 1951 Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR DEVICE FOR MOP OR BROOM HANDLES 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to adjustable connector devices and more particularly to devices for connecting handles to mops and brooms. This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 140,023, filed January 23, 1950, now abandoned.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a universal attachment between the mop or broom and the handle which enables the mop or broom to be operated at variable angles relative to the handle as well as enabling a universal swivel action between the mop or broom and the handle. This flexibility of adjustment accommodates operation underneath furniture, in corners and hard to get at places.

Another object of my invention is to provide a handle attachment device for mops or brooms that is easy to attach and detach and is constructed of light and strong material, preferably metal.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable mop and handle attachment device that has simplicity of organization, economy of construction and efficiency in operation.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures and in which:

Fig. l. is a front View of my new and improved handle connector device attached to a mop frame;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view of my new and improved handle attached to a conventional type of broom;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3, parts being broken away for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the basic frame member of the device;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 7, parts being broken away for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary end view taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lower clamp member;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the upper clamp member;

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the friction plate associated with the universal assembly; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the handle adjusting mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, specifically to Figs. 1, 2 and 7, an adjustable connector device, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a frame member I articulated to a clamp member 9 by means of a stud bolt 1. The frame member I is attachable to a handle 5 and the clamp member 9 is attachable, as desired, to a mop frame I2, as shown in Fig. 1, or a broom 36, as,

shown in Fig. 2.

The clamp member 9 comprises a pair of jaw elements I3--l3, best shown in Figs. 10 and 11, which are hingedly connected at one end and respectively provided with clamp portions comprising opposed semi-cylindrical grooves HI and I4 adjacent the hinged end for embracing a cross shaft H of the mop frame l2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, or a cross-shaft 35 on a broom 36, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The hinge connection between the jaw ele. ments, preferably, is dismountable and comprises lips 15 and IE on the ends of the jaw elements l3--|3' respectively, said lips being insertable through an opening I! in a ring-like keeper 18,

as best shown in Figs. 3 and Z, the lips being op-.

positely flared to prevent accidental removal of the keeper 18. Preferably, the lips 15 and it are bifurcated and the keeper l8 has two openings or slots I! for respectively receiving the lip bifurcations, as shown in Figs. 8 and 11, to retain the keeper and jaw elements in proper hinge relation and prevent the keeper from sliding along the elements.

The jaw element i3 is in the form of a plateandhas an aperture IS in which the stud bolt 1 is rigidly mounted, preferably, the aperture I9 being threaded for cooperating therewith. The

bolt 1 is disposed perpendicularly of the jaw plate provided with a centrall located protrusion 23 y extending inwardly within the shaft may have selectively spaced depres-- sions 3839 for receiving the protrusion-Rand.

thereby retain the clamp member and shaft. in fixed relation.

The frame member I comprises as flatp-or-tion' 2 at one of its ends and an intermediateoffsett the other end portion 3 being adapted for attachment to a handle 5. While the handle-connection may partake of anydesir-ed form, it is preferred that it be adapted. for use witha handle having a hollow end or sleeve-like portionl. In.

this event, the end portion- 3. ofthe frame member I is of semi-cylindrical form to be inserted. within the end of the. handle, 5 andretained by a plug 6 also inserted within the endof the handle.

The. flat end portion 2 has an aperture 8'for freely mounting over one end of..the.stud boltfl. to fit'flat against the plate jaw element l3 on the opposite side from the jaw element I3". A thumb nut is threaded on the bolt I. for applying the desiredtension betweenthe end portion 2 and the plate jaw element I3. Toprevent theturning of the nut 25 with the end portion 2 when the-latter is swivelled, a friction plate2 4-is interposed therebetween, the plate 24-having an aperture for freely fitting over the bolt I. The friction plate 24 is retained against rotation. with the end portion 2 when the latter is swivelled by an integral pair of cars 33 depending from opposite sidesthereof to straddle the jaw element l3 and engage the notches 34 (Fig. 11) in the opposite sidesof the. jaw element I3.

Obviously, in use, the nut 25 mustbethreaded as desired to enable a swivelling action or to tightly hold the handle 5 and member I- in. selected angular relationtothe clamp 53. When it is desired to provide a positive lock between the frame member I and clamp member 9, this lock may suitably comprise a construetionthat is-bestshown in Figs. 7,8, 11 and 13.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 11, it will be seen that the plate jaw element I3 has a semicircular rear or free edge on a radius from the axis-of. the .aperture l9 and bolt 1, and in which areprovided a; seriesof notches 28. These notches preferablyare rectangular in-shape for positively cooperating with the rectangularly shaped end 26 of a locking pin 21 that is. slidablycarried by the: frame member I, as best shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 13.

The lockingpinZ-I is slidably supported by an.

apertured lug Bil-struck up from the'frame mem ber I and a slot 29 in the offset portion 4 of the member. The pin 27 is positioned above the member I with its rear end slidable' in the aperture in thelug 30 and the front or looking end 26 of the pin extends through the'slot 29 in' the offset 4 to underlie the flat end por-tion2 andLfor. engagement with the edge of the jaw element I31 A control element 3| is-fixedto the locking pin 21' for manipulating the pin 21 relative to the) notches 28, and a spring 32 isinterpos'ed'betw'een said element 3I' andthe lug 32 to bias. the pin. 21

against the edge of jaw element 13 and into anotch 28.

In one dimension, the end 26 of the pin 21 is of a width to freely but snugly fit in a notch 28, as shown in Fig. 8. In the other dimension, the end 26 is of a Width greater than that of the notches 28 and thus spans the notches and abuts the edge of the jaw element 13, as shown in Fig. 13. Thus, the pin.2'I- may be turned by the control element 31 for cooperation with the notches 28, or it may be retracted and turned through an angle of ninety degrees to span the notches and, if the thumb-nut 25 is loosened, permit angulation of the handle 5" relative to the mop or broom during use.

It" may be' desirable to vary the resistance to' movement of. the handle, and this is controlled by the pressure applied by means of the nut 25 between the jaw element, the end 2 of the frame member I and the friction plate 24. The friction plate 24' cooperates with'the jaw element I3- in clamping the end portion- 2 therebetween, the downwardly extending ears 33 of" the frictionplate 24 straddling the element I3. and snugly en-.--

gaging the edges 34- thereof to prevent relative. angular movement between the friction plate 24 and bolt 1 through the jaw element I3; Thus, during use, the friction plate 24 prevents tight ening'or loosening of'the nut 25 regardless of the swivelling of the endportion 2.

In the application of the device to a broom, as best shown in Figs. 2; 3 and 4, a cross-shaft. is-v supported by brackets 31 mounted to the, upper: surface of a broom body 35;

maintained at an. angle to the, broom by: the action of the projection 23 registering witheither' of the depressions 3B or 39 formed'in the crossshaft 35, thereby preventing rotation between the. clamp jaws I3 and I3 and the shaft 35, main-' taining the handle at a definite radial angle to the axis of the broom, butstill permitting; the: handle to be adjusted at-an angle to the longitudinal axis of the broom; as hereinbefore: described in relation to the mop;

My new and improved handle connecting device can be transferred from one mop or'broom to another, giving: many. yearsiof service.

The operation of the device should bev evident from the foregoing description. Obviously, the:

device iscapable of adjustment about'two axes;

the cross-shaft I I or. 35. andthe boltl, which are; perpendicular to each other, and this adjustment" may be fixedby tightening thenuts2 I and:25-andengaging the pin 21 in a notch 28, or it may befreely operative during use if the nuts are loosened and the locking pinretracted and.

one implement to another by releasing thesclamp Although certain specific embodiments ofrthez invention have been shown and described, it"v is obvious that many modifications thereof areiposr- Bible;

stricted except in so far as is necessitated by the;

The inventiomtherefore, is not tobe reprior art.and:by.-the'spirit ofzthe appended claims.

What I olaimdsz: 1. An adjustable connector device? for. mopland broom handles comprising a member forattach The clamping member 9 embraces theshaft 35, the handlebeing' ment to a handle and including a flat end portion having an aperture, a bolt in said aperture, a clamp device having a pair of arm plates relatively adjustable toward and from each other, said arm plates being mounted on said bolt on one side of said flat end portion and pivotal relative to said flat end portion, said clamp device having clamp portions disposed at right angles to said bolt for clamping a cross-bar on a mop or broom frame, a friction plate mounted on said bolt on the opposite side of said flat end portion from said clamp device, downturned ears on said friction plate beyond the flat end portion and straddling the nearest clamp plate to retain said clamp and friction plates in fixed angular relation with respect to the flat end portion sandwiched therebetween, and a nut on each end of said bolt for respectively adjusting the tension between said friction plate and said clamp device and the tension between said clamp portions and the frame cross-bar by adjustment of said clamp plates.

2. An adjustable connector device for mop and broom handles comprising a member for attachment to a handle and including a flat end portion having an aperture, a bolt in said aperture, a clamp device having a pair of arm plates relatively adjustable toward and from each other, said arm plates being mounted on said bolt on one side of said flat end portion and pivotal relative to said flat end portion, said clamp device having clamp portions disposed at right angles to said bolt for cooperatively clamping a mop or broom element, a nut on said bolt for selectively closing said clamp plates, one of said plates having an end formed on a radius from said bolt and radial notches in said end, a plunger pivotally slidable on said member and spring biased toward said notches for selective cooperation therewith to hold said clamp device at the selected angle on said bolt, a flat rectangular notch enaging end on said plunger that will cooperate with one of said notches in one position and span said notches in another position at 90 degrees from said one position, and means for rotating said plunger through said 90 degrees.

3. An adjustable connector device for mop and broom handles comprising a clamp device having a pair of jaw elements relatively adjustable toward and from each other at least one of which comprises a plate, a bolt intermediately secured perpendicularly to said jaw plate and being threaded to both ends thereof, the other of said jaw elements having an aperture freely receiving one end of said bolt to enable the adjustment of said jaw elements, said clamp device having clamp portions disposed at right angles to said bolt and actuated by adjustment of said jaw elements for clamping a cross-bar on a mop or broom frame, a member for attachment to a handle and including a fiat end portion having an aperture for freely receiving said bolt and positioned on the other end of said bolt adjacent said bolt carrying jaw plate for relative pivotal adjustment therebetween, a friction plate mounted on said bolt on the opposite side of said fiat and por-- tion from said clamp device, downturned ears on said friction plate beyond said flat end portion and straddling said bolt carrying jaw plate to retain said two plates in fixed angular relation with said bolt and having the flat end portion pivotally sandwiched therebetween, and a nut on each end of said bolt for respectively adjusting the tension between said friction plate and said jaw plate and the tension between said clamp portions and the cross-bar by adjusting said jaw elements, whereby angular movement of said flat end portion about said bolt will not affect said nuts.

1. An adjustable connector device for mop and broom handles comprising a clamp device having a pair of jaw elements relatively adjustable toward and from each other and at least one of which comprises a plate, a bolt intermediately secured perpendicularly to said plate and being threaded to both ends thereof, the other of said jaw elements having an aperture freely receiving one end of said bolt, said jaw elements having cooperative clamp portions disposed at right angles to said bolt for clamping a cross-bar on a mop or broom frame, a nut on said one bolt end for adjusting said jaw members to regulate the tension between said clamp portions and the cross-bar, a member for attachment to a handle and including a flat end portion pivotally mounted on the other end of said bolt, a friction plate freely mounted on said other bolt end and having a pair of down-turned ears beyond said fiat end portion and straddling said jaw plate to retain said friction and jaw plates in fixed angular relation and with said flat end portion pivotally sandwiched therebetween, a nut on said other bolt end for adjusting the tension between said friction and jaw plates and said flat end portion, one of said plates having an edge formed on a radius from said bolt and having a series of radial notches in said edge, a plunger pivotally slidable on said member and spring biased toward said notches for selective cooperation therewith to hold said member and clamp device at a selected angle, said plunger having a fiat notch engaging end for seating in a notch with said plunger in one angular position and for spanning the notch when the plunger is turned degrees, and means for pivoting said plunger to control the relation between said end and said notches.

HOMER A. RUSSELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 831,259 Bingler Sept. 18, 1906 2,050,762 Preisser et al Aug. 11, 1936 2,152,358 Palmeri Mar. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 70,505 Norway June 3, 1946 

